Self-healing superhydrophobic fluoropolymer brushes as highly protein-repellent coatings

Superhydrophobic surfaces with micro/nanostructures are widely used to prevent nonspecific adsorption of commercial polymeric and/or biological materials. Herein, a self-healing superhydrophobic and highly protein-repellent fluoropolymer brush was grafted onto nanostructured silicon by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Both the superhydrophobicity and antifouling properties (as indicated for isolated protein solutions and for 10% blood plasma) are well repaired upon serious chemical degradation (by e.g. air plasma). This brush still maintains excellent superhydrophobicity and good antifouling properties even after 5 damage-repair cycles, which opens a new door to fabricate long-term antifouling coatings on various substrates that can be used in harsh environments.